Raiders cap off spring with energetic Blue-White finale

Isiah Upton hauls in a tough pass during the Blue-White Spring Finale at Floyd Stadium on April 15, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)

Photo by Tyler Lamb / Sports Editor

Daniel Sargent prepares to snap the ball to holder Kyle Banks during the Blue-White Spring Finale at Floyd Stadium on April 15, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)

Energy was flowing from the bowels of Floyd Stadium all the way to the artificial turf surface Saturday afternoon as the Blue Raiders ended the 2017 Spring Practice Period on a high note with the Blue-White Spring Finale

The team spent a lot of time fine-tuning the rest of their game, all while giving Blue Raider a fans a glimpse of the team they don’t normally get to see.

To start the day, Head Coach Rick Stockstill presented each individual position with their most improved player.

Most Improved Quarterback- John Urzua

Most Improved Running Back- Terelle West

Most Improved Wide Receiver- CJ Windham

Most Improved Offensive Lineman-Robert Behanan

Most Improved Defensive Lineman- Malik Manciel

Most Improved Linebacker-Khalil Brooks

Most Improved Defensive Back-Daryl Randolph

Most Improved Safety-Jovante Moffatt

After the awards were presented, Middle Tennessee moved into their individual position groups to get some work in, followed by a short Blue (defensive players) versus White (offensive players) scrimmage.

Individual position groups enhance abilities throughout the day

The biggest highlight of the individual position work was the offense running through their hurry-up package. Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin signaled in plays to quarterback John Urzua (replacing the injured Brent Stockstill) as the Raiders ran through various passing patterns on their way to the end zone.

On the defensive side of the ball, speed and footwork looked to be the biggest attributes being stressed by the coaching staff. The defensive line spent a lot of time working on their hand placement when coming off of the snap, while linebackers and defensive backs both spent the bulk of their time participating in drills to improve their pass defense.

The next period of practice started 7-on-7 passing drills and offensive line versus defensive line board drills.

During the 7-on-7 drills, the Raiders completed a lot of swing passes out of the backfield and short passes to their receivers as the defense looked tough to beat in Defensive Coordinator Scott Shafer’s new zone-coverage scheme. Secondary players Daryl Randolph and Alex Dale did a good job of shutting down the deep ball and limiting the offense to short gains. Receiver CJ Windham made a few good catches in traffic Saturday in man coverage against multiple cornerbacks, a feat he would duplicate in the scrimmage.

Senior slot back Shane Tucker used his experience as a receiver to help him make a few catches out of the back field. Tucker showed explosion and made good cuts up-field to try and find more daylight.

Defensive lineman Malik Manciel and Moffatt both made multiple stops. Transfer running back Maurice Gordon used his speed to turn a couple of long runs up the field, making his case for more carries this upcoming year.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Stockstill said. “We had a lot of guys make improvements this spring on both sides of the ball and we spent a lot of time in the kicking game. I thought our defense adapted well [to the new scheme]. Overall I’m pleased, but not satisfied. There’s a long way to go.”

Tucker spearheads opportunity to show he’s the man in scrimmage

Shane Tucker runs down the field during the Blue-White Spring Finale at Floyd Stadium on April 15, 2017. (MTSU Sidelines/Tyler Lamb)

Shane Tucker impressed during the scrimmage, giving fans the opportunity to see him in a live-contact situation in over a year.

Tucker had a couple carries that went for good yardage, but his versatility is what helped him score the only touchdown of the short game.

Tucker was able to improvise and find a hole in the zone coverage downfield after his swing-route was busted, and made a spectacular catch off of a nice throw from Urzua.

“The running back has to be versatile,”Tucker said. “I feel as a running back, you have to be a factor in the passing game. I played [h back] when I was in high school also, so I think that helps me a lot.”

What’s Next?

MTSU’s coaching staff will begin their spring recruiting period as the players prepare for the offseason conditioning program with classes winding down.